By Russ and Tiña De Maris
One of the big questions of folks making the jump from “sticks and bricks” to a “life on the road” is a good, solid, important one: What about insurance on the RV?
Sticks-and-bricks type insurance protects you from loss: The house burns, the burglars burgle, the unexpected and probably uninvited “guest” trips over your rake and breaks a leg. These losses can be real – and hugely expensive. But not just “any” insurance company will be able to handle your new circumstances on the road. Really, it’s best to talk to companies that are completely literate and often specialize in RV insurance.
Years back, it was difficult to find an insurance company who could speak “RV,” not to mention “full-time RV.” Now there are companies who advertise for full-time RVer business. Nevertheless, it’s a great idea to have an agent where possible. We’ve found an agent can help you sort out the finer details, and will often take the time to see you as a person with needs, rather just as an account.
A few things to keep in mind: The first at the top of the list is simply – ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS. Never take anything for granted. Can you assume “RV replacement insurance” will completely replace your “totaled” RV? Yes? No? Maybe? The latter is probably the most likely answer. Replacement insurance should replace your rig, but there may be limitations such as “For the first five years after manufacture.” Or possibly, “Yes, but not for ‘add-ons’ like awnings, solar panels, etc.”
What about liability? While it’s true you don’t own “real estate,” what happens around your rig when it’s parked somewhere can run up a big bill for you. Somebody walks around the corner of your rig while it’s parked in an RV park and bonks their head on your slideout. Seems like they ought to be smart enough to keep their eyes open, but in this litigious society, lots of folks like to sue. Can you afford a lawsuit?
Contents? Ah, the glories of contents. Some insurance companies base how much they’ll pay you for “loss of contents” on a percentage of the value of the rig. If you’re a big gadget geek, a percentage of how much your rig is worth may not even come close to replacing your fancy treasures.
Not all full-timers have insurance. Some are “self-insured” because they figure they have enough in the bank to cover any contingency. But then, some are “self-insured” because they don’t have enough money in the bank to cover the cost of the premiums. It’s a gamble any way you look at it. Nevertheless, when shopping for coverage, always ask plenty of questions.
##RVDT1335
I am not yet even a newbie but I am making plans to purchase a TT. What happens in a road accident if one has coverage with two distinct insurance companies; one for the truck and another for the TT– instead of having only one carrier? Might I come up short with both companies deflecting blame on the other? Any words of wisdom or experience?
I am glad someone suggested an umbrella policy.They really aren’t that expensive. if someone runs into your slide or trips over your dog tie out then they are trespassing since you paid for the site. In some states they cannot sue if they get hurt trespassing.
Even with an insurance that is supposed to cover full timing be wary. We filed two claims with Safeco for Comprehensive damage to our Class A coach to replace the radiator after it cracked because of rough roads, and our roof after it delaminated several months after a snow storm brought limbs down on the roof and caused cracks that were not apparent when it happened. After severe winds and thunderstorms during the summer and fall the delaminations were discovered and roof had to be replaced.
Insurance denied the claims and insinuated that I had committed insurance fraud and changed their report of how damage happened to make it fit their decision.
When we were full-timing in our 41′ diesel pusher we discovered we could have a one million dollar liability umbrella policy for a very little cost! This would cover the expense of somebody falling off the entry step, walking into an extended slide-out, etc. It was just a “safety umbrella” for us!
What about your health insurance. Medicare is everywhere, but Advantage plans are local.
Not all Medicare Advantage plans are local only. It depends on whether it’s a HMO or PPO, and if the carrier uses a national network of providers or a local only.
Unfortunately, the Advantage plans are worthless for full timers. Also they have changed and many good docs are not even on the lists due to the compensation and the notorious paperwork.
I pay almost an additional 300.00/month aside from my original medicare deduction to be covered while traveling and also so I can chose the doc I want and not what’s on a plan. So add that into your expenses when full timing and then more if there is a deductible if applied for a particular treatment even with the best policies.